It was a video that landed Adel al-Mashwakhi in jail and another video that got him out. 

The comedian and former policeman from the Gaza Strip is known for his videos critical of a wide range of political issues. Mashwakhi first gained media notoriety in 2017, when he posted a video mocking the electricity cuts. The clip, titled "Hamas, that's enough," was viewed a quarter-million times. Hamas arrested all-Mashwakhi but released him two weeks later, on the condition that he make no more “politically flavored” videos. Shortly after his release, the comedian left the Gaza Strip. He returned in October 2018, with promises from Hamas that he could get his policeman job back and retire early. ​

Instead, in December 2019, a Gaza Military Court sentenced Mashwakhi to 18 months in prison for insulting religion, opposing public policy and "defective behavior."

After the ruling, Mashwakhi fought back with a new video. He posted a five-minute video on his Facebook page Jan. 11 to tell his story, describing how Hamas had deceived him, luring him back to the country with the promise of returning his job and freedom from prosecution. “Then they sentenced me to 18 months,” he said, promising to go on a hunger strike until death.